Tear-jerking masterpieces sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z
Have you ever listened to music and been moved to tears?
Not just songs performed by artists—sometimes even a track your friend sings at karaoke can bring you to tears, depending on how you’re feeling in that moment.
Especially for Japanese listeners, the lyrics that shake the heart tend to draw our attention.
So this time, we’re introducing tear-jerking songs recommended for Gen Z, focusing exclusively on male artists.
From songs about parting with someone to tracks that give you a push forward, we’ve compiled a wide range.
We hope you’ll find at least one song you can relate to.
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- Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits
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- Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 20s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
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- Tears for a heartrending story… Tear-jerking songs by women recommended for the Yutori generation
- A Must-Read for Men: Sing at Karaoke! A Showcase of Moving Masterpiece Ballads
- Nothing but masterpieces! Love songs by male artists recommended for Gen Z
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 30s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
Tear-Jerking Masterpieces Sung by Male Artists Recommended for Gen Z (11–20)
Live.NEWS
NEWS’s song resonates as a rousing anthem that powerfully questions the meaning of life.
Chosen as the theme for a drama starring Shigeaki Kato, it was released in September 2018 as a work commemorating the 15th anniversary of NEWS’s formation.
With lyrics that sing of the courage to face life’s hardships and the importance of bonds with friends, it gently gives listeners a push forward.
Sung over a relaxed tempo, the words form a heartwarming number that empowers you to keep looking ahead and live on, no matter how tough the circumstances.
evening primroseNovelbright
This work portrays a poignant state of mind: unable to forget a once‑beloved person, the protagonist can’t help but keep chasing their lingering shadow as memories of days gone by well up.
Vocalist Yudai Takenaka’s delicate high-tone voice gently envelops the pain of a protagonist who cannot accept the breakup.
The grand sound centered on piano and strings is another highlight.
It’s a song to listen to when you want something to stay close to the pain of heartbreak, or when you can’t take a step into a new love.
I love youback number
Written as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Soar High! (Maiagare!),” this track by back number was released digitally in October 2022.
Through everyday, modest scenes, the lyrics gently prompt us to reflect on our feelings for someone precious.
The pure, self-questioning desire—how can I bring more smiles to someone important?—is something almost anyone can relate to.
It’s a perfect number for those thinking of someone far away or wanting to reaffirm what truly matters amid the busyness of daily life.
SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE
Is there any other song that sings of the preciousness of life with such tenderness and strength? Released in November 2022 as Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s first single in about three and a half years, this piece was written as the theme song for the film “From Siberia With Love,” starring Kazunari Ninomiya and Keiko Kitagawa.
In step with a story that upholds love for family against the harsh backdrop of a Siberian labor camp, the lyrics—like reciting by heart one’s feelings for a beloved—etch themselves into the soul.
Its grand arrangement featuring strings wraps unspoken everyday emotions and hope for tomorrow into a sweeping ballad.
It’s a song that gently stays by the side of anyone choosing to believe in the future, no matter how difficult the days may be.
paintingŌmori Motoki
This work reveals a new side of him as a solo artist—one that stirs the heart deeply.
Released in May 2025 as part of Motoki Omori’s first solo digital single in about four years, it’s marked by quiet, mysterious soundscapes that seem to gently speak to the listener’s inner self.
The lyrics express a poignant wish: for someone to portray his existence using colors only he possesses, and to see even the parts of himself that feel wretched as something beautiful.
It’s a song whose warm melody soothes deep sorrow and loneliness, leaving a lasting impression.
Put it on during a quiet night when you want to be alone with your thoughts.
catDISH//
This song, written and composed by singer-songwriter Aimyon, is the B-side to the single “We Did It” released in August 2017.
When Takumi Kitamura performed an acoustic version on the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE in March 2020, it sparked renewed buzz, and its total streaming plays surpassed one billion.
The piece portrays lingering attachment and heartache for someone dearly missed, expressing a yearning for a person who has become as free and capricious as a cat.
When you’re worn out from work or relationships, or when memories of a past love resurface, this song is sure to bring you to tears.
Tear-jerking masterpieces sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z (21–30)
HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE
Released in May 2025 as the theme song for the film “I Will Tell You the Truth,” this track makes a striking impression with its structure: it shifts from a quietly sacred opening to an unpredictable development.
The lyrics gaze equally at the light and shadow, the beauty and ugliness inherent in humanity, hinting at a new depth in Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s expression.
The unusual promotion—available only within the film—also became a major topic on social media.
Different from their usual brightness, the layered, heart-wrenching melody is sure to resonate deeply with you.